minimalism

American  

[min-uh-muh-liz-uhm] / ˈmɪn ə məˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. Music. a reductive style or school of modern music utilizing only simple sonorities, rhythms, and patterns, with minimal embellishment or orchestrational complexity, and characterized by protracted repetition of figurations, obsessive structural rigor, and often a pulsing, hypnotic effect.

2. minimal art.

3. an aesthetic, particularly in design, decor, and fashion, favoring simplicity, clean lines, and neutral colors over pattern, ornament, and brighter colors.

4. a lifestyle involving a reduction or simplification of one’s material possessions that frees one to lead an existence that is more intentional, purposeful, spiritual, etc..

   Inspired by a guru of minimalism, the couple sold their house and began living on the road in an RV.

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minimalism British  

/ ˈmɪnɪməˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. another name for minimal art

2. a type of music based on simple elements and avoiding elaboration or embellishment

3. design or style in which the simplest and fewest elements are used to create the maximum effect

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Usage

What does minimalism mean? Minimalism most generally refers to a style or approach that uses a small number of elements. More specifically, it can refer to a type of painting or sculpture (sometimes called minimal art), music, or other art form that typically uses the simplest and fewest elements with the goal of creating the maximum effect. In this sense, it is sometimes capitalized. The adjective form minimalist can be used to describe such art forms, or more generally to describe a simple style or approach. As a noun, it can be used to refer to an artist who practices Minimalism or, more generally, to a person who favors a simple style or approach. The related adjective minimalistic is used to describe something that is stripped down to its most essential elements or uses only what is needed. Both minimalist and minimalistic can be used to describe things that are simplified and include only the most basic components, without embellishment. Example: Jane says she prefers minimalism when it comes to interior design, but to me it just looks like her house is missing a lot of furniture.

Etymology

Origin of minimalism

First recorded in 1965–70; minimal + -ism

Explanation

Minimalism is a style of art that's extremely simple and pared-down. In the late 1950s, the first works of art described as examples of minimalism included abstract paintings of geometric shapes. In visual art, minimalism takes the form of simplified figures, shapes, and colors, while musical minimalism focuses on repetition of notes and phrases. In addition to the art movement, the word has grown to describe a style of decorating and living that avoids decoration and clutter. The Latin root of minimalism is minimus, "smallest or least."

Example Sentences

Minimalism, which was the foundation of Jacqueline Kennedy’s own personal style, was key.

From Salon • Jan. 4, 2026

Riley didn’t invent Minimalism; a belief in revolutionary new beginnings was in the cultural air at the San Francisco premiere.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2025

The duo from North Carolina that records as Magic Tuber Stringband connects Appalachian tradition to Minimalism, meditation and perhaps post-rock, carrying forward the ideas of musicians like John Fahey and Sandy Bull.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2024

Minimalism was prominent when Isermann was a student.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2023

Minimalism had in fact begun to emerge, rather quietly, in the 1960s, but it made a louder entrance in the 1970s, spearheaded by American composers Terry Riley, Steve Reich and Philip Glass.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall